A stay-at-home mum launched a book art company after designing a wedding gift for a close friend.

Founded by Emily Watson just over a year ago, the origami-style Book Art company already supplies stock to shops across Britain and to more than 50 outlets in America – including large department stores in New York.

“I started the business because I wanted to make something really unique and special for a close friend’s wedding gift,” she said.

“So many people commented on the book at the wedding and wanted me to make one for them that I soon started having to charge people because it was taking up so much of my free time.”

Based in Woking, Emily and a team of freelancers can spend up to two weeks designing and folding pages to within half a millimetre of accuracy.

The 31-year-old said she has made between 1,500 and 2,000 since she secured her first shop order 12 months ago from Deborah Holden, owner of The Nest in Ripley.

“Deborah was wonderful and really positive about the book,” said Emily.

“She was the one who gave me the confidence to pursue it as a business. It’s amazing when I look back to how I started and how far its come.”

In the future, Emily says she hopes to exhibit at more trade shows in Britain in the coming months and is also looking to expand into Europe.

She added: “It’s really exciting to be nominated considering I’ve only been going for a year.”